Piper PA-30 N7318Y

Summary

On 8 June 2023 at about 18:19 local time, a Piper PA-30 registered N7318Y, operated by Gibson Stanley A, was involved in an accident near Nephi, Utah, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 June 2023 at 18:19

Classification

Accident

Location

Nephi, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Nephi Muni (U14)

Coordinates

39.7366, -111.8701

Aircraft

Piper PA-30

Registration

N7318Y

Category

Airplane

Year built

1964

Engines

2

Operator

Gibson Stanley A

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cedar City → Bountiful

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR23LA220

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the inadequate removal of fuel system corrosion during previous maintenance.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a repositioning flight when, while enroute, the left engine briefly lost power. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot, but the engine continued to cycle between 1,000 and 2,400 rpm. The pilot diverted to a nearby airport for a precautionary landing. During the landing flare, about 5 ft above the ground (agl), the left engine lost total power. The pilot applied right rudder to counteract the lowered left wing; however, the airplane touched down hard and exited the left side of the runway. The right wing impacted a dirt mound and sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the fuel system, left and right fuel strainer bowls, and filter discs revealed that the filter bowl and filter disc contained contaminants consistent with rust/corrosion. Both the left and right fuel strainer post had pitting corrosion. Rust/corrosion was also found in the cavity walls and cover plates of both strainer knob assemblies, as well as in the left and right fuel selector valves, primarily the left and right auxiliary inlet lines. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that, about four months before the accident flight, the right engine lost power in flight; after that event, the fuel screen was found restricted and corroded. The pilot stated that multiple injectors from both engines were also found obstructed. The right outboard auxiliary tank was replaced, along with the fuel screens. Both left and right fuel lines were flushed by a mechanic. The pilot added about 7 months prior to the accident flight, the right engine fuel injectors were found obstructed during an inspection. The rust/contamination found months before the accident was likely not adequately addressed and not completely removed from within the fuel system, which led to a build-up of contamination within the fuel delivery system that restricted the fuel supply to the left engine and resulted in the loss of power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.